But for the grace of God

With the unemployment rate at a 26-year high and the stock market on a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs, a lot of talented people are in desperate straits. The last time jobless claims were higher was at the end of 1982, when the economy was emerging from a steep recession.

When I ponder the economic situation, the new leadership in Washington and what my 401 (k) is doing, I start to wonder if anything in this world is really stable. The economic downturn has left thousands out of work — and everyone else cutting their spending. Retirement savings are a mere shadow of what they were only six months ago. And the new Obama administration has already taken great strides toward making the slaughter of unborn children (here and abroad) more accessible than ever before.

Then I remember the words of the psalmist — “The Lord is my strength and my shield, in whom my heart trusted and found help” (Ps 28: 7) — and I’m assured that the Lord is in charge. Throughout salvation history, the Lord has been with his people when they trusted in him. He has an amazing way of turning evil into good. On the cross, he took the devil’s best work and turned it into God’s greatest triumph — the salvation of mankind.

We’ll get through these tough times, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have work to do. We who fight the good fight are the Church Militant. The triumph over sin and death has been won, but it’s difficult to taste victory when we’re in the thick of the fight against evil and corruption — which brought on the economic crisis and the disrespect for life all the way up to the highest office in the land. Our job is to fast and pray, then work to build the kingdom of God in whatever way he calls us.

Three Legates are doing just that by directly helping those hardest hit by this difficult economy. Robert Chisholm, Jeff Darrey and Joe Marmora are working to make the tough times just a little easier for thousands of families in their communities by feeding the poor and homeless — and in some cases helping them find shelter and clothing. These men take Christ’s call to serve the poor seriously — and literally. Their courageous witness has led hundreds to Christ.

We’re not all called to run homeless shelters, but every baptized Christian is called to bring the Good News to a world in desperate need of the Truth, Jesus Christ. I don’t have to look far to realize that but for the grace of God, I could be in need of a job, food or shelter. However, I’m assured that the things of this world are passing. The Lord, my rock and my strength, is eternal.

Patrick Novecosky is the editor of Legatus Magazine.